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Colombia eases decade-long restrictions on carrying firearms in public

President Abelardo de la Espriella signed a decree lifting public carry limits, BBC News reports.

Updated Sep 9, 2026 · 14:57 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • President Abelardo de la Espriella signed an order permitting licensed gun owners to carry firearms in public without extra authorization.[BBC News]
  • The change lifts a suspension first imposed in December 2015, affecting nearly 700,000 permit holders reported in Colombia.[BBC News]
  • Opposition Senator Ariel Ávila condemned the policy as a grave error, warning legally owned weapons could reach criminals.[BBC News]

Key facts

  • President Abelardo de la Espriella signed a decree permitting licensed individuals to carry legal firearms in public.[BBC News]
  • The measure ends a ten-year suspension originally implemented under former President Juan Manuel Santos in December 2015.[BBC News]
  • The decree impacts almost 700,000 people who hold legal firearm carrying permits.[BBC News]
  • Senator Ariel Ávila warned that the policy change represents a severe mistake that could funnel legal weapons to criminal elements.[BBC News]

What remains uncertain

  • The broader security impact of expanding public carry and whether it will increase crime remains disputed between officials and critics.[BBC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.